Type casting matrix



Oct. 18, 1932. L. H. GILBERT TYPE CASTING MATRIX Filed Sept. 22. 1930 lNYENTOR 3W BY M V v ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 18, 1 932 rrso rates LOUIS H. GILBERT, or HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT" TYPE CASTING -J ATRIX I Application filed S ptember 22, 1930. Serial No.483,487. 7

My invention relates to type casting matrices such as used in slug type casting machines where the matrlces are assembled by hand, and more particularly to means for.

abuttlng faces, and the operator is enabled'r facilitating the rapidity and accuracy with which the matrices may be assembled.

Matrices for use with slug type casting machines where the matrices are assembled by hand in the casting stick are now made with plane parallel abutting faces. These abutting faces gradually accumulate a deposit of foreign matter which is received from the operators fingers. This deposit causes the matrices to stick together and thus decreases the rapidity and accuracy of the operator in slipping the matrices from their respective piles in the case and assembling them in the casting stick. This foreign matter also preand a central sectional vents close Contact between the matrices when they are assembled in the casting stick, thus causing undesirable fins or flashes in the printing slugs when they are cast in the casting stick. The foreign matter also prevents free and easy alignment of the matrices in the casting stick with the result that the printing faces of. the printing slugs which are cast from the matrices are of uneven height and the characters are misaligned. Furthermore, this deposit causes the matrices to adhere together after casting, thus interfering with their rapid separation for redistribution into their respective compartments of the case. The smooth plane abutting faces of the matrices are also ob-jection able in that they cause the operator to exert unnecessary finger pressure in order to withdraw the matrices from the case. Furthermore, when the matrices are clamped together in the casting stick, a partial vacuum is caused between the smooth abutting faces a which causes adhesion and interferes with the rapid separation of the matrices for redistribution into their respective compartments.

All of the above mentioned disadvantages are overcome by my invention, the principal object of which is to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the matrices- My inventlon consists in providlng a finger grip formed by holes or depressions in one or both invention' V chines;

type of construction, the foreign matter from the operators fingers is lodged in the holes instead of on the bearing surfaces between to withdraw the matrices v fromthe case with the exertion of less finger pressure.

In the drawing. which shows, for illustrative purposes only, preferred forms of the Fig. 1 is a side view of a type castingjmav trix such as used in slug type casting ma- Fig. 2 is a central sectional View of the matrix shown in Fig. 1; i I

Fig. 3 is a central sectional view ternative type of matrix; l

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 each comprise aside view view of alternative an altypes of matrices. v

In said illustrative drawing, lOindicates a type casting matrix such as usedin slug type casting machines. 11 and 12 represent the sides of the matrix which contact with Of 1heabutting faces, of a has. With this the sides of adjacent matrices when the mat-$5.75

rices are assembled in the casting stick. The sides 11 and 12 are spoken of in this specification as the abutting faces of the matrix. The opposite edges of the matrix are provided with positioning lugs only at or near the topli thereof as shown in the drawing. One or both of the abutting faces of the matrix is provided with a finger grip. This finger grip may consist of a sunken area 13 in one of the abutting faces as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. If de-:?

sired, finger grips may be provided on both abutting faces of the matrix, as shown in Fig. 8. a flat or curved surface, preferably knurled or milled to'furnish a grip with a lighter'iiz:

the finger grip may consist of a multiplicity? of holes which may be drilled or punched or otherwise formed and which may extend either partially or wholly through the matrix. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the holes l l extend entirely through the matrix. Or the finger i;

The sunken area 13 may have either grip may consist of a series of grooves 15, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

The use of my invention increases the coeflicient of friction between the operators fingers and the matrix and reduces the coefiicient of friction between contacting matrices. The holes or indentions serve as air chambers and reduce the adhesion which is caused by the partial vacuum which is formed between abutting faces of the matrices. Adhesion between abutting faces of the matrices is also reduced by the reduction of foreign matter on the bearing surfaces. Thus rapidity and accuracy in assembling the matrices in the casting stick and in redistributing the matrices into their respective compartments are increased and the printing slugs are freed from undesirable fins and flashes and from unevenness and misalignment of the characters. Furthermore, the labor of the operator is reduced because the indentations increase the ease with which the matrices can be withdrawn from the case. Where the finger grip is provided in only one of the abutting faces of the matrix, the use of my invention automatically indicates to the operator through his sense of touch whether the matrix is in proper position or reversed, thus preventing errors arising from reversed letters.

I claim:

In a matrix for hand assembly, a' matrix body with laterally extending positioning lugs adjacent the top only of said body, the

central portion of the front face of said body being recessed to form a finger grip.

LOUIS H. GILBERT. 

